Protective clothing, especially from metal mesh

ABSTRACT

Protective clothing, especially a protective clothing made from metal ring braiding ( 13 ), which comprises a closing strap ( 2 ) made from metal ring braiding ( 13 ).  
     The invention provides that a first closure element ( 4 ) is mounted on a carrier ( 3 ), which is reversibly and positively connected with the strap ( 2 ), which closure element ( 4 ) can be locked in a matching second closure element mounted on the protective clothing.

SPECIFICATION

[0001] The present invention relates to a protective clothing, especially a protective clothing made from metal ring braiding, which comprises a closing strap made from metal ring braiding. Such a protective clothing has been known, for example, from DE 44 16 389 A1. A protective glove comprising a closing strap, made from metal ring braiding, that can be closed by a closure similar to a press button has further been known from DE 299 10 449 U1.

[0002] Protective clothing made from a metal ring braiding is worn by persons handling tools, machines or objects that involve an especially great risk of injury, especially a cutting risk for the body, above all the limbs, as is the case, for example, in meat processing activities in slaughter-houses, the poultry and fish industry and when working with sharp-edged objects in the metal industry, to mention only a few of the applications of such protective clothing. Metal ring braiding has heretofore given good results in such applications, because it offers sufficient protection from injury, because it adapts itself readily to the body, due to its excellent flexibility, and because it does not hinder the movements of the body. The term metal ring braiding is meant to describe a metal braiding, built up from metal rings that are alternately and loosely wound around each other.

[0003] However, the high flexibility of the metal ring braiding is also connected with certain disadvantages, as will be seen from the example of a protection for the forearm that can be fastened on a glove in the form of a gauntlet. Contrary to a glove made from leather or a textile material, such a protective glove made from meal ring braiding tends to slip off the hand easily unless it is firmly tied about the wrist. Such protective gloves have, therefore, been provided with one or more closing straps which are likewise made from metal ring braiding for hygienic reasons. Such closing straps are usually provided with claws that are hooked into the metal ring braiding for closing: It is, however, a disadvantage of-that arrangement that such claws may get entangled unwantedly in the metal ring braiding. This is very disturbing, especially during the cleaning process, because the gloves may get caught one by the other through the claws. After the cleaning process, it is then particularly troublesome and connected with a lot of work to separate and/or free the gloves one from the other. Further, it is a disadvantage that the claws may get caught in the metal ring braiding when the gloves are being put on or off, which makes the procedure of putting the gloves on or off very uncomfortable.

[0004] Now, it is the object of the present invention to provide a protective clothing made from metal ring braiding, which is easy to handle, comfortable to wear, which provides a reduced potential for accident or injury, and which is easy to clean.

[0005] This object is achieved by a protective clothing having the features defined in claim 1. Advantageous further developments are the sub-matter of the sub-claims.

[0006] A protective clothing according to the invention comprises a carrier, which is mounted on a closing strap consisting of metal ring braiding, is reversibly connected with such strap in a form-fit fashion and on which is mounted a first closure element that can be locked in a matching second closure element provided on the protective clothing. This feature provides the advantage that the closure can be easily closed and opened by locking the two closure elements one in the other. This advantageously improves the wearing comfort and the comfort of use. It is further an advantage that any claws or similar elements are rendered superfluous whereby the cleaning process is considerably facilitated and the potential for accident and injury is reduced. Another advantage of a protective clothing according to the invention lies in the fact that the carrier can be removed from the closing strap together with the closure element for being attached to the closing strap later in reverse orientation so that the glove, for example, can be used optionally on the left or on the right hand by simply turning it over inside out. This simplifies the protection and stockkeeping processes because a glove according to the invention can be used with either surface turned to the outside, without any restriction with respect to the wearing comfort and the comfort of use.

[0007] According to an advantageous further development of the invention, the carrier can be freely positioned on the closing strap. This feature provides the advantage that the protective closing can be adapted to the user's size.

[0008] According to an advantageous further development of the invention, the two closure elements are configured as parts of a press button where a locking pin can be engaged in a bush. This feature provides the advantage that the closure can be produced at low cost using a commercially available press button.

[0009] According to an advantageous further development of the invention, the first closure element comprises a locking pin. This feature provides the advantage that the closure is easier to handle and the wearing comfort is improved.

[0010] According to an advantageous further development of the invention, the carrier is provided with an opening through which the closing strap is passed. This feature provides the advantage that the position of the carrier on the closing strap can be adjusted more easily.

[0011] According to an advantageous further development of the invention, the carrier comprises an upper part and a lower part with the closing strap passing between the two elements. This feature provides the advantage that the carrier can be positioned more easily whereby the wearing comfort and the comfort of use is improved.

[0012] According to an advantageous further development of the invention, the upper part and the lower part can be locked one in the other. This feature provides the advantage that any unwanted opening or releasing of the carrier is made more difficult.

[0013] According to an advantageous further development of the invention, the upper part and the lower part are connected one with the other via a joint so that the carrier can be swung open. This feature provides the advantage to improve the comfort of use because it facilitates the adjustment of the position of the carrier on the closing strap and makes it more difficult for separate parts of the carrier to fall off during the adjusting process.

[0014] According to an advantageous further development of the invention, the carrier is designed as a box with two opposite open narrow sides, with the closing strap extending through the box. This feature provides the advantage to improve the form-fit between the carrier and the closing strap.

[0015] According to an advantageous further development of the invention, the carrier comprises at least one projection that engages the metal ring braiding in a form-fit fashion. This feature provides the advantage that a positive connection is achieved between the carrier and the closing strap with only little input. Advantageously, the carrier comprises four projections which further improves the form-fit. The projections can be produced at low cost by deep drawing.

[0016] According to an advantageous further development of the invention, the projections take the form of pins. This feature provides the advantage that the carrier can be reliably connected with the closing strap in form-fit fashion so that any slipping of the carrier with the glove applied or during cleaning is excluded. Especially in cases where four pins are provided, preferably at the outer corners of the carrier, an especially reliable connection is achieved between the carrier and the closing strap.

[0017] According to an advantageous further development of the invention, the diameter of the pins is smaller than the inner diameter of the rings of the metal ring braiding. This feature provides the advantage that the form-fit between the carrier and the closing strap is improved and any slippage of the closing strap is prevented.

[0018] According to an advantageous further development of the invention, the carrier is provided with recesses. This feature provides the advantage to facilitate cleaning of the protective clothing.

[0019] According to an advantageous further development of the invention, the carrier is built up from stamped sheet-steel parts. This feature provides the advantage to permit low-cost production.

[0020] Further details and advantages of the invention will be described hereafter with reference to the embodiment illustrated in the following drawings, in which:

[0021]FIG. 1 shows a protective clothing according to the invention in the form of a glove;

[0022]FIG. 2 shows a side view of an upper part of a carrier with a first closure element, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the closing strap;

[0023]FIG. 3 shows a side view of an upper part of a carrier with a first closure element, viewed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the closing strap;

[0024]FIG. 4 shows a top view of an upper part of a carrier upon the side facing the closing strap;

[0025]FIG. 5 shows a bottom part of a carrier;

[0026]FIG. 6 shows a detail of a protective clothing according to the invention with a mounted second closure element in the form of a bush; and

[0027]FIG. 7 shows a rear view of a detail of a protective clothing according to the invention with a mounted second closure element.

[0028] The glove 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 consists of a metal ring braiding 13 which may be stiffened in certain sections in order to prevent a gauntlet from collapsing. The glove comprises a closing strap 2, which likewise consists of a metal ring braiding 13, for fixing the glove 1 and a gauntlet on the user's forearm; depending on the length of the gauntlet, there is also the possibility to provide a plurality of closing straps 2. The closing strap 2 is reversibly connected, in form-fit fashion, with a carrier 3 on which a first closure element 4 is mounted for being locked in a matching second closure element 5, provided on the glove 1, by a form-fit engagement of a locking pin 6 in a bush 7. Such a closure 4,5 can be realised at low cost in the form of a press button.

[0029] The reversible form-fit or positive connection between the carrier 3 and the closing strap 2 permits the position of the carrier 3 on the closure element 2 to be adjusted so that the glove 1 is advantageously fixed in the correctly fitted condition and can be adapted to the user's size. Especially, there is also the possibility to remove the carrier 3, together with the first closure element 4, from the closing strap 2 and to mount it again in reverse orientation. This feature provides the advantage that the glove 1 can be used optionally on the right or on the left hand, if it is turned over so that its inside is turned to the outside. Turning over is easy with a glove 1 made from a metal ring braiding 13, due to the latter's high flexibility. In order to make the glove 1 suited for being worn on both hands, the bushes 7 of the second closure elements 5, that correspond to the locking pin 6 of the first closure element 4, are arranged in closely neighbouring pairs, with the bushes 7 intended to receive the locking pin 6 being oriented in opposite direction, i.e. on the one hand to the inside and on the other hand to the outside. This permits the glove to be used and worn with the same comfort, whether the glove 1 is used on the right or on the left hand. FIGS. 6 and 7 show a front view and a rear view, respectively, of a detail of the glove 1 with a second closure element 5. The arrangement in pairs guarantees that there will always be available a bush 7 in the correct orientation for receiving the locking pin 6. Given the fact that the second closure elements 5 are arranged on the glove in pairs, it is of advantage if these elements 5 are configured as bushes 7 and the first closure element 4 is configured as locking pin 6, although on principle the roles could of course also be reversed, in which case the locking pin 6, arranged on the glove 1, would however reduce the wearing comfort.

[0030] The carrier 3 comprises four pins 10 of a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the rings 12 of the metal ring braiding 13 so that they will positively engage the metal ring braiding 13. In the described embodiment, the pins 10 are mounted on the upper part 3 a of the carrier 3, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4. For anchoring the pins 10, no great length is required. The pins are, therefore, rather short, typically 1 mm to 2 mm long, and may also be configured as nipples so that the pins 10, or the nipples, can be produced at low cost by deep drawing. Although basically a smaller number of pins 10 or projections 10 would be sufficient, four pins 10, arranged at the corners of a rectangle, guarantee planar anchoring of the carrier 3 in the closing strap 2. Preferably, the pins 10 should be arranged at the four outer corner pints of the carrier to achieve the best possible form-fit between the carrier 3 and the closing strap 2, with the press button being arranged within that rectangle. The carrier 3 comprises an upper part 3 a (FIGS. 2 to 4) and a lower part 3 b (FIG. 5) with the closing strap 2 extending between them, which parts can be locked one in the other in a form-fit fashion. It is ensured in this way that the carrier 3 will adapt itself closely to the strap, will not add too much volume, and that the pins 10, being supported on both sides by the upper part 3 a and the lower part 3 b, will not get detached from the metal ring braiding 13 unwantedly by accidental movements. The carrier 3 is configured as a box with two oppositely arranged open narrow sides, through which the closing strap 2 extends, so that the closing strap 2 is protected from slipping once the upper part 3 a and the lower part 3 b of the carrier 3 are locked one in the other. In order to improve the ease of operation when adjusting the position of the carrier 3 on the closing strap 2, the upper part 3 a and the lower part 3 b of the carrier 3 are connected by a joint 8,9, which especially prevents parts of the carrier from falling off during the adjusting process, the joint being constituted by a rounded projection 8 on each of the two parallel sides of the upper part 3 a, which extend in parallel to the closing strap 2, and by matching recesses 9 on the lower part 3 b. Advantageously, the carrier 3 remains always connected with the closing strap 2 so as to locate the joint 8, 9 on that side of the carrier 3 which faces away from the glove 1. In the alternative, there would be the risk that when the closure 4, 5 is opened by pulling the closing strap 2, this might simultaneously lead to unwanted opening of the joint 8, 9.

[0031] In order to facilitate the cleaning process, the carrier 3 comprises recesses 11 and is fully made from metal, as is the closure 4, 5. The recesses 11 facilitate the entry of water and detergents into the carrier 3 so that any residues can be easily removed. The carrier 3 is built up in low-cost fashion from stamped sheet-steel parts. 

1. Protective clothing, especially a protective clothing made from metal ring braiding (13), which comprises a closing strap (2), made from metal ring braiding (13), which can be fixed in its position by locking a first closure element (4) in a matching second closure element (3), characterised in that the first closure element (4) is mounted on a carrier (3), which is reversibly and positively connected with said strap (2) and that the second closure element (5) is mounted on the protective clothing.
 2. The protective clothing as defined in claim 1, characterised in that the carrier (3) can be moved along and freely positioned on the closing strap (2).
 3. The protective clothing as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the two closure elements (4, 5) are configured as parts of a press button where a locking pin (6) can be engaged in a bush (7).
 4. The protective clothing as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first closure element (4) comprises a locking pin (6).
 5. The protective clothing as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the carrier (3) is provided with an opening through which the closing strap (2) is passed.
 6. The protective clothing as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the carrier (3) comprises an upper part (3 a) and a lower part (3 b) with the closing strap (2) passing between these two parts.
 7. The protective clothing as defined in claim 6, characterised in that the upper part (3 a) and the lower part (3 b) can be locked one in the other.
 8. The protective clothing as defined in claim 6 or claim 7, characterised in that the upper part (3 a) and the lower part (3 b) are linked to each other by a joint (8, 9).
 9. The protective clothing as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the carrier (3) is designed as a box with two opposite open narrow sides, with the closing strap (2) extending through the box.
 10. The protective clothing as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the carrier (3) comprises at least one projection (10) that engages the metal ring braiding in form-fit fashion.
 11. The protective clothing as defined in claim 10, characterised in that the carrier comprises four projections (10).
 12. The protective clothing as defined in claim 10 or claim 11, characterised in that the projections (10) take the form of pins (10).
 13. The protective clothing as defined in claim 12, characterised in that the projections (10) are arranged at the corners of a rectangle.
 14. The protective clothing as defined in claim 12 or claim 13, characterised in that the diameter of the pins (10) is smaller than the inner diameter of the rings (12) of the metal ring braiding (13).
 15. The protective clothing as defined in any of claims 10 to 14, characterised in that the projections (10) can be produced by deep drawing.
 16. The protective clothing as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the carrier (3) is provided with recesses (11).
 17. The protective clothing as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the carrier (3) is built up from stamped sheet-steel parts. 